Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
Go refurbished, as some have said.

But also consider increasing the budget by delaying some of the lower priority items and getting better models for each item.

If you force everything into that budget, you might have to compromise on every single purchase.

So I mean get the best refurbished model for each item.

In the end you might end up saving yourself money and frustration because the devices will perform better and longer.
Although I'm not entirely against any refurbished items , I do quite prefer getting things brand new , but given my limited budget I don't think I can get an entire ecosystem right away unless of course compromising things
 

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
The fundamentals of any Apple ecosystem are made up of two components:
  • an iPhone
  • a Mac
The specific iPhone and Mac will depend on your needs. Do try for an iPhone 15 though, either new or refurb. The exact Mac will hinge on the importance of mobility, and the particular workload: an iMac, or one of the MacBooks.

Don't forget to budget-in:
  • an external drive for your Mac's Time Machine backups
  • AppleCare+ for convenience in times of trouble
The third and fourth devices will be much less important.
Is a regular 15 better than getting the latest 15 pro max ? 🤔 Because if so , I can squeeze in an ipad air 5 with the base model along with a MacBook air M1 base model , however if not , I can purchase the 15 pro max with the ipad pro M2 and just wait until later for the M3 air
 

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
Then you need to get advice from people with experience of those programs (look on dedicated forums) and the people running the course. Are there Mac versions at all, and if so, are they any good? Will you be provided with the Mac version? Which ones do you use often enough need to run on your own computer? Is the course PC-centric and, if so, do you want to be the one doing the extra work to prove that it can be done on Mac?

You should buy the type of computer that runs the specific bits of software you need to use. In some cases, that turns out to be a PC. In other cases, it turns out to be anything that can browse the web, run a word processor and answer emails because anything specialised is done in the labs on computers that cost far more than your budget…
Yeah I've done some research and found out that many if not all programs that I use are non existent on MacOS sadly , however I can work with them in university computers and just use a MacBook for other things like note taking & coding
 

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
If upgrading iphone i think an iPhone 12/13 pro max or a iphone 12/13 mini phonewise would be good enough. And regarding computer either a mac mini m2 or a m2 macbook. Ipad air m1 is enough. I have an ipad but hardly use it as much as i thought i would. (Probably since i have a foldable phone.) And apple watch 8. Get a apple 4k tv as well. All refurbed or 2nd hand. Maybe toss a apple homepod mini in, if there's any money left.
Those easily exceeds my budget sadly
 

Jay Tee

macrumors 6502
Mar 17, 2023
264
445
Is a regular 15 better than getting the latest 15 pro max ? 🤔 Because if so , I can squeeze in an ipad air 5 with the base model along with a MacBook air M1 base model , however if not , I can purchase the 15 pro max with the ipad pro M2 and just wait until later for the M3 air

Unless you need the Pro Max features like the zoom lens, and its photo video editing abilities, I'd go for the regular 15. If you're going to get one of the Series 15 iPhone, you have two options:
  • buy the 15/15 Plus, use it, and see if you still want the 15 Pro Max, if you do, then upgrade within a week or two
  • buy the 15 Pro Max, use it, and see if you're making use of the extra features, if not return it for the regular 15/Plus
 

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,249
11,745
Matlab has a native macOS version and runs perfectly fine
Matlab has Mac version yes, but maybe not other programs. When I was taking my electrical engineering degree, literally no serious software I used would work on macOS at all, and matlab was too much for my weak MacBook Air, so I ended up buying a PC.
 

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,249
11,745
Yeah I've done some research and found out that many if not all programs that I use are non existent on MacOS sadly , however I can work with them in university computers and just use a MacBook for other things like note taking & coding
In which case don’t buy anything more than M1 MacBook Air. However much I hate that machine, it is the best option available for you based on your budget.

I suggest you rethink your decision of buying an iPad, unless you can foresee good use cases and you use it frequent enough.

If you want to use university computers for windows-only programs, consider purchasing a cloud-based VM so in case you can’t use uni computer, you still have a backup solution.
 

ipaqrat

macrumors 6502
Mar 28, 2017
379
419
All things considered, I'd keep the iPhone SE 22, which has years of life ahead, if not all the AI goodies a 15 pro might have. I don't game, and I use a grown-up camera, so much as I admire the 15 Pro, I just couldn't justify it.

Knowing what I know now, about my Apple watch ultra and iPad Pro, I'd let them go; they're nice to have, but marginal. There are mechanical watches way cooler than an Apple Watch will ever be.

I'd plow the money into an Apple Refurb M1 Pro, emphasizing RAM. Virtualization will get better over time, which I'd like better than a university Lab/SSH/RDP. Maybe put some cash aside for a battery replacement.

I concur with others who pointed out that it's wiser to stage your procurements, focus on return on investment. This philosophy won't get you into the cool kids' club though. I'm so unhip, my bum fell off.
 

JustAnExpat

macrumors 65816
Nov 27, 2019
1,009
1,012
What's your goal with being in "the ecosystem"? What feature/ what value would being in "the ecosystem" give you?

COMPUTER:

The VAST majority of your expense will be the computer cost. You want to use Multisim. According to


"It is possible to use Multisim on a Mac OS X or Linux by means a Virtual Machine, where you are in fact installing on Windows. In Mac OS X you can also use Bootcamp. Please be aware that Bootcamp and Virtual Machine are not supported methods, and NI does not recommend using them as a replacement for Multisim Live or for using a Windows based computer."

*I DO NOT KNOW IF MULTISIM WORKS IN A VIRTUALIZED ENVIRONMENT ON APPLE SILICONE!* Contact them and find out. If it does not work in a virtualized environment on Apple Silicone, you'll have to stay with Windows, or get a cheap MacBook Air M1.

IF, on the other hand, it does work with Apple Silicone with a virtualized environment, I recommend a machine with AT LEAST 24 GB of Ram. You should have 16GB assigned to the Windows VM, and 8 GB for MacOS. Or, better yet, whatever your current RAM amount is on your windows machine, double it for MacOS.

MathLab requires at least 16GB (Source: https://www.mathworks.com/support/requirements/matlab-mac.html)

Since you'll be working with a VM, you'll need a professional machine otherwise the VMs will cause the MacBook Airs to overhead and slow down.

Sadly, the MacBook Pro, 14" M3, with 24GBs (the maximum I can select) is 2,400 Euros (from the Ireland store). That's over your limit.

The MacBook Air, 13", M2 chip with 24GB (the maximum I can select) is 1,800 Euros (from the Ireland store). That's within your limit, but just barely - and won't leave you with much room to buy new iToys.

What about buying used?

That's a possibility, but RAM is usually a build to order option, so it'll be hard to find a machine that meets your RAM requirements.

MY OPINION:

Check and see if Multisim can run in a Virtual Machine on Apple Silicone. If it is, then will this computer be a replacement for your current setup?
 
  • Love
Reactions: Shirasaki

Schlumpf

macrumors newbie
Apr 6, 2023
13
12
A macos version is not necessarily a requirement; being sure that it will run in Parallels is. Solidworks runs perfectly fine, even when using realview graphics.
Matlab has Mac version yes, but maybe not other programs. When I was taking my electrical engineering degree, literally no serious software I used would work on macOS at all, and matlab was too much for my weak MacBook Air, so I ended up buying a PC.
 

kk200

macrumors regular
Jan 6, 2021
248
281
Basically what the title says, so far I only have an iphone SE 2022 that I use daily , thinking about getting a MacBook,ipad,apple watch & a new iphone maybe?
What would be the most perfect list 🤔 ?
My recent apple device purchase:
* iPhone 12 Pro 128G: $400 (second-hand) + DIY new battery ($20)
* M2 iPad Pro 12.9 256G: $800 (discount)
* M1 Macbook Air 16G+256G: $870 (second-hand)

No interest on apple watch because of poor battery life.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shanghaichica

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,249
11,745
A macos version is not necessarily a requirement; being sure that it will run in Parallels is. Solidworks runs perfectly fine, even when using realview graphics.
M1… so I have to put a massive asterisk on parallel here, noting M1 is not powerful enough to run parallel and windows in near full speed, And to keep that going OP would need 16GB of RAM minimum, which means his iPad budget is gone for good.
 

saintmac

macrumors member
Jul 1, 2020
77
124
Sounds like you are a student. As you've noticed 2100€ won't get you the top of the line apple ecosystem.

As other have mentioned not sure what you really want to get from the "ecosystem" itself but I would say just buy what you really need:
- iPhone: you already have one, don't waste your money.
- iPad: consider if you really have a use case for it. As far as I'm concerned it's the least useful apple device (but YMMV) so I wouldn't get one in your situation.
- Mac: buy a decent refurbished one, like M1 Pro 14" with most of your budget
- apple watch: if you're into quantified self / activity tracking, it's a great device. Buy the cheapest you can get from S6,S7,S8,S9, Ultra (1 or 2) or SE2. The others have a chip that is too old.
- if you still have some money left, consider investing into airpods (2, 3, Pro or Pro 2)

And most importantly buy each of them one by one, that will bring you much more enjoyment
 

Schlumpf

macrumors newbie
Apr 6, 2023
13
12
M1… so I have to put a massive asterisk on parallel here, noting M1 is not powerful enough to run parallel and windows in near full speed, And to keep that going OP would need 16GB of RAM minimum, which means his iPad budget is gone for good.
If you keep your iPhone and don’t want an iPad you’re far into the ecosystem already; macbook air m2 with 16gb of ram, should be possible, add the apple watch and voila. If you want the iPad (notetaking and binging are awesome and if you’re a bit of a creative, for illustration it is great as well), you could always add it later. You can build yourself into the ecosystem over time.

On MacOS I get by with 8gb of ram, when I have SolidWorks (in Parallels), illustrator, Lightroom and photoshop open. Nonetheless running windows software on windows hardware will have less overhead and for stutter-free alt-tabbing 16 gigs will help.
 

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
What's your goal with being in "the ecosystem"? What feature/ what value would being in "the ecosystem" give you?

COMPUTER:

The VAST majority of your expense will be the computer cost. You want to use Multisim. According to


"It is possible to use Multisim on a Mac OS X or Linux by means a Virtual Machine, where you are in fact installing on Windows. In Mac OS X you can also use Bootcamp. Please be aware that Bootcamp and Virtual Machine are not supported methods, and NI does not recommend using them as a replacement for Multisim Live or for using a Windows based computer."

*I DO NOT KNOW IF MULTISIM WORKS IN A VIRTUALIZED ENVIRONMENT ON APPLE SILICONE!* Contact them and find out. If it does not work in a virtualized environment on Apple Silicone, you'll have to stay with Windows, or get a cheap MacBook Air M1.

IF, on the other hand, it does work with Apple Silicone with a virtualized environment, I recommend a machine with AT LEAST 24 GB of Ram. You should have 16GB assigned to the Windows VM, and 8 GB for MacOS. Or, better yet, whatever your current RAM amount is on your windows machine, double it for MacOS.

MathLab requires at least 16GB (Source: https://www.mathworks.com/support/requirements/matlab-mac.html)

Since you'll be working with a VM, you'll need a professional machine otherwise the VMs will cause the MacBook Airs to overhead and slow down.

Sadly, the MacBook Pro, 14" M3, with 24GBs (the maximum I can select) is 2,400 Euros (from the Ireland store). That's over your limit.

The MacBook Air, 13", M2 chip with 24GB (the maximum I can select) is 1,800 Euros (from the Ireland store). That's within your limit, but just barely - and won't leave you with much room to buy new iToys.

What about buying used?

That's a possibility, but RAM is usually a build to order option, so it'll be hard to find a machine that meets your RAM requirements.

MY OPINION:

Check and see if Multisim can run in a Virtual Machine on Apple Silicone. If it is, then will this computer be a replacement for your current setup?
I love how things gets synchronized together , and I just love the ease of use of IOS compared to others , never did try MacOS however , I'll be developing an iOS app soon enough so I need one regardless
 

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
If you keep your iPhone and don’t want an iPad you’re far into the ecosystem already; macbook air m2 with 16gb of ram, should be possible, add the apple watch and voila. If you want the iPad (notetaking and binging are awesome and if you’re a bit of a creative, for illustration it is great as well), you could always add it later. You can build yourself into the ecosystem over time.

On MacOS I get by with 8gb of ram, when I have SolidWorks (in Parallels), illustrator, Lightroom and photoshop open. Nonetheless running windows software on windows hardware will have less overhead and for stutter-free alt-tabbing 16 gigs will help.
I love my SE 2022 , however as I'm always on my phone the battery life tend to drain faster and that's what put me on the edge to get a new iphone with a better battery , although the SE 2022 is on par with the iphone 13 lol
 

Duncan-UK

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2006
658
1,286
Although I'm not entirely against any refurbished items , I do quite prefer getting things brand new , but given my limited budget I don't think I can get an entire ecosystem right away unless of course compromising things
I've been buying stuff from the Apple refurb store for years. Other than the box that it comes in the items are basically new. You should have no fears from using the refurb store to save a bit of cash.
 

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
The refurbs I have bought from Apple have been indistinguishable from new.
Yeah "from apple" , unfortunately there is none in my country mostly just certified apple resellers along with marketplace and that's about it
 

SloumaGamer

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2023
60
21
Sounds like you are a student. As you've noticed 2100€ won't get you the top of the line apple ecosystem.

As other have mentioned not sure what you really want to get from the "ecosystem" itself but I would say just buy what you really need:
- iPhone: you already have one, don't waste your money.
- iPad: consider if you really have a use case for it. As far as I'm concerned it's the least useful apple device (but YMMV) so I wouldn't get one in your situation.
- Mac: buy a decent refurbished one, like M1 Pro 14" with most of your budget
- apple watch: if you're into quantified self / activity tracking, it's a great device. Buy the cheapest you can get from S6,S7,S8,S9, Ultra (1 or 2) or SE2. The others have a chip that is too old.
- if you still have some money left, consider investing into airpods (2, 3, Pro or Pro 2)

And most importantly buy each of them one by one, that will bring you much more enjoyment
Yeah I see that my budget won't allow me to buy everything right away which is unfortunate ngl , I would prioritize the MacBook like you said and either the ipad or apple watch + airpods
Being a student sucks lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: saintmac

ignatius345

macrumors 604
Aug 20, 2015
7,574
12,923
Although I'm not entirely against any refurbished items , I do quite prefer getting things brand new
There is absolutely no functional or aesthetic difference between new and refurbished hardware from Apple* -- except for a plainer box. Otherwise the experience is identical and the warranty is the same. You're basically throwing down hundreds of dollars for a nicer product box if you buy new instead of refurbished (provided the model you want is available).

* note here I'm talking about refurbished items sold directly by Apple, not by any third-party companies.

edit: Oops, just saw your subsequent post about how Apple-refurbished products aren't available in your country. I'll leave the comment here for other readers.
 

Analog Kid

macrumors G3
Mar 4, 2003
9,351
12,579
I'll suggest that maybe you don't buy every corner of the ecosystem at once. If it were me, and it's not, I'd use the budget to buy slightly higher in the line for each item and spread the purchases out over a few years. I typically keep my Apple products for more than 5 years each (sometimes not, depending on the rate of change, but often more), so if you stage out your purchases you can avoid having to make a big buy all at once.

Macs are what I keep the longest, I think, and it's a cornerstone of the ecosystem, so maybe start there and by the time you make the change over the Mac will still be a contributing member of the team.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.